John 12:1-8 for Sunday, June 3, 2007

Translation:
(1) Then six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raided from the dead. (2) They made a feast for him there and Martha was serving and Lazarus was seated at the table with him. (3) Then Mary, taking a pound of genuine, expensive oil of nard, anointed his feet with her hair and the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (4) Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, about to betray him, said (5) "Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denari and given to the poor?" (6) He said this not because he was ever concerned about the poor, but because he was a theif and held the money bag and took money put into it. (7) Then Jesus said, "Let her be because [it was intended] for my burial day, she may keep it. (8) For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

This is a striking scripture for lots of reasons. Jesus is eating with Lazarus, who was recently raised from the dead. We see a foreshadowing of Jesus' betrayal. Jesus makes an almost shocking remark about the imminent end of his life.

Indeed, chapters 11-12 in John are typically seen as the last hours of Jesus' life, signaling an end of his public ministry. These two chapters bridge the gap between Jesus' public ministry and Jesus' death on the cross. In fact, nearly every detail about this scene is a foreshadowing of Jesus' death. It is only in this verse that the Greek word deipnon is used for "dinner." Elsewhere the word refers to Jesus' last supper with his disciples.

As the New Interpreter's Bible Commentary points out, there are stories of Jesus' anointing in every Gospel. Mark 14:3-9 and Matthew 26:1-13 tell virtually the same story, emphasizing the anointing of Jesus as a preparation for his burial. Luke 7:36-49 emphasizes the love and respect shown to Jesus for these actions and makes no direct allusion to his burial. The Gospel of John, likely the youngest gospel, combines these narratives in many ways (I invite you to read them!), but still puts the emphasis on this action as a preparation for his burial.

John meticulously details this scene. We know exactly how much oil Mary has--one Roman pound, and that it is not only genuine but also very expensive. This is interesting, since the details about the dinner itself are fuzzy--we don't know whose home they gather in or even specifically who is being honored (Lazarus or Jesus?), but we do get all the details about exactly how Mary anointed Jesus' feet. She even wiped his feet dry with her hair. The same verb "to wipe" is used with Jesus' last encounter with his disciples when he washes their feet.

Judas enters the scene mysteriously. We were not told at the outset that Judas (or any of the other disciples) are present. All the same, Judas is contrasted with Mary. Mary is the picture of faithfulness, while Judas is "a thief." Judas' betrayal is foretold as we learn about his untrustworthy deeds. The Greek treats Judas very harshly. He is not concerned about giving money to the poor, because (as the Greek reads), he was never concerned for the poor. The verb indicates an ongoing action. Finally, Jesus' words confirm this as a prelude to his final hours. In fact, Jesus' words are identical to those in Matthew 26:11.

Looking at the story as a whole, we receive a picture of Jesus and his friends gathered together in what are his final days. They do the same things they ever did--eating, talking, sharing together--except that this time is different. Mary anoints Jesus' feet and this is special. They mark this time in very particular ways. This is their way of supporting each other through sorrow (remember Lazarus' death, and Jesus' impending death) and through joy (remember Lazarus' resuscitation). Sometime in our lives, each of us have probably experienced a relationship like this. Where in your life has this type of relationship been a reality? When have you been supported by others in ways similar to this?